Infantry Division (1943-45)]

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

th 56 (London) Infantry Division (1)

Divisional Headquarters, 56th Infantry Division Headquarters Defence & Employment Platoon 35th Field Security Section, Intelligence Corps

167th Infantry Brigade

Headquarters, 167th Infantry Brigade, Signal Section & Light Aid Detachment

8th (1st City of London) Bn. The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 9th (2nd City of London) Bn. The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 7th Bn. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

168th Infantry Brigade (2)

Headquarters, 168th Infantry Brigade, Signal Section & Light Aid Detachment

1st Bn. The London Irish Rifles 1st Bn. The London Scottish 10th Bn. The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s)

169th Infantry Brigade

Headquarters, 169th Infantry Brigade, Signal Section & Light Aid Detachment

2nd/5th Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd/6th (Bermondsey) Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd/7th (Southwark) Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

201st (Guards) Infantry Brigade (3)

Headquarters, 201st (Guards) Infantry Brigade, Signal Section & Light Aid Detachment

6th Bn. Grenadier Guards 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards 2nd Bn. Scots Guards

Divisional Troops

44th Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps (4)

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

6th Bn. The Cheshire Regiment (5)

Headquarters, 56th (London) Infantry Divisional Royal Artillery & Signal Section 64th (7th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 65th (8th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery (6) 113th (Home Counties) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 67th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery 100th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

Headquarters, 56th (London) Infantry Divisional Royal Engineers & Signal Section 42nd Field Company, Royal Engineers (7) 220th (2nd London) Field Company, Royal Engineers 221st (2nd London) Field Company, Royal Engineers 501st Field Company, Royal Engineers (8) 563rd Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

56th (London) Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

Headquarters, 56th (London) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Service Corps 513th Infantry Brigade Company, Royal Army Service Corps 515th Infantry Brigade Company, Royal Army Service Corps 543rd Infantry Brigade Company, Royal Army Service Corps 491st Divisional Troops Company, Royal Army Service Corps

Headquarters, 56th (London) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps 167th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps 214th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps 5th Light Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps 51st Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps 25th Anti-Malarial Control Unit, Royal Army Medical Corps 77th Anti-Malarial Control Unit, Royal Army Medical Corps

56th (London) Infantry Divisional Field Park, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Headquarters, 56th (London) Infantry Divisional Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 167th Infantry Brigade Workshops, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 169th Infantry Brigade Workshops, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 201st Infantry Brigade (Guards) Workshops, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

56th (London) Infantry Divisional Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

56th (London) Infantry Divisional Provost Company, Corps of Military Police

56th (London) Infantry Divisional Field Post Office, Royal Engineers

Under Command for Operation Avalanche (Salerno)

The Royal Scots Greys

506th Battery, 142nd (Royal Devon Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 69th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

14th Mobile Casualty Clearing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps

No. 3 Beach Group No. 21 Beach Group

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

NOTES:

1. The division was a pre-war, first line, Territorial Army formation. It landed at Salerno in Italy on 9 September 1943, having come from Libya, with the 167th Infantry Brigade, 169th Infantry Brigade and 201st (Guards) Infantry Brigade under command. It was involved in the battles to recapture Naples in September 1943, the Volturno Crossing in October 1943, and Monte Camino in November and December 1943. In January 1944, it was involved in the battles for the Garigliano Crossing. As the position at Anzio deteriorated, the division was transferred from X Corps to the U.S. VI Corps at Anzio. It was withdrawn from Anzio to Egypt on 28 March 1944 to refit. This is the order of battle for this division in this period from September 1943 to February 1944. 2. This brigade left division on 9 April 1943. Initially it became an independent infantry brigade under the command of XIII Corps in Egypt. The brigade group comprised:

168th (London) Infantry Brigade

Headquarters, 168th Infantry Brigade, Signal Section & Light Aid Detachment

1st Bn. The London Irish Rifles 1st Bn. The London Scottish 10th Bn. The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s)

90th (City of London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

501st Field Company, Royal Engineers

514th Company, Royal Army Service Corps

168th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

On 29 May 1943, the brigade came under the command of the 50th Infantry Division. With this division, it took part in the invasion of Sicily on 13 July 1943, fighting with that formation throughout the campaign. The 50th Infantry Division left the Mediterranean in October 1943 to return to the United Kingdom. The 168th Infantry Brigade rejoined this division on 17 October 1943, following the battle for Salerno. This brigade was detached from the division on 30 January 1944 and landed at Anzio on 3 February 1944 to come under command of the 1st Infantry Division.

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

3. In the absence of the 168th Infantry Brigade, this formation joined the division on 23 July 1943 as third brigade. It had been an independent brigade in the campaigns in Egypt and Libya. The brigade fought with the division during the battle for Salerno. When the 168th Infantry Brigade returned to the command of the division on 17 October 1943, this brigade remained under the command of the division, giving it four infantry brigades. The brigade fought in the battle of the River Garigliano, but officially left the division on 3 January 1943, passing to the command of X Corps. It was then attached to the 5th Infantry Division on 6 January 1944 until 2 March 1944. In March 1944, due to the heavy casualties sustained by the brigade, and the lack of reinforcements to sustain three Guards brigades on active duty in Italy, this formation was reorganised. The 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards transferred to the 24th Infantry Brigade (Guards), being replaced by the 1st Bn. Irish Guards from that brigade. The 6th Bn. Grenadier Guards, 2nd Bn. Scots Guards and 1st Bn. Irish Guards were all reduced to cadres, sailing for the United Kingdom on 10 April 1944. On its return to the United Kingdom, the formation assumed the role of training brigade for the entire Brigade of Guards. 4. This regiment transferred into the division on 8 March 1943, replacing the 56th Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps, which had transferred to the 78th Infantry Division. On 11 January 1944, this regiment transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps and was redesignated: 44th Reconnaissance Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. 5. Transferring to this division on 12 January 1943, this unit had the role of divisional machine gun battalion. 6. This regiment joined the division on 23 April 1943, on the division’s arrival in North Africa. The regiment began the war as part of the 44th Infantry Division, but transferred to the 50th Infantry Division in November 1942. It transferred from the 50th Infantry Division to this division, with which it served until the end of the war. 7. This field company was part of the 201st Guards Infantry Brigade Group. It joined the division on 9 July 1943 and left with its host brigade on 3 January 1944. 8. Serving with the 168th Infantry Brigade, this field company was detached from the division to serve with the 168th Infantry Brigade in 50th Infantry Division from 18 March 1943 until rejoining this division on 13 October 1943.

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

th 56 (London) Infantry Division (1)

167th (London) Infantry Brigade

168th (London) Infantry Brigade (2)

1st Bn. The London Irish Rifles 1st Bn. The London Scottish 10th Bn. The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s)

169th Infantry Brigade

2nd/5th Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd/6th (Bermondsey) Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd/7th (Southwark) Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

Divisional Troops

44th Reconnaissance Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps

6th Bn. The Cheshire Regiment

64th (7th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 65th (8th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 113th (Home Counties) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 67th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery 100th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

220th (2nd London) Field Company, Royal Engineers 221st (2nd London) Field Company, Royal Engineers 501st Field Company, Royal Engineers 563rd Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

56th (1st London) Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

NOTES:

1. The division landed at Salerno in Italy on 9 September 1943, having come from Libya. As the position at Anzio deteriorated, the division was transferred from X Corps to the U.S. VI Corps at Anzio. The 168th Infantry Brigade landed first on 3 February, with the divisional headquarters landing on 16 February with the 169th Infantry Brigade, the divisional commander taking command of the 1st Infantry Division in addition to this division on 18 February due to the injury of Major General PENNEY, G.O.C. 1st Infantry Division, by shellfire on 17 February. On 22 February, Major General PENNEY resumed command of the 1st Infantry Division. It is believed the 167th Infantry Brigade also landed on or about 18 February. The division fought in the battle to secure the bridgehead, sustaining heavy casualties. It was withdrawn from Anzio to Egypt on 28 March 1944 to refit. This is the abbreviated order of battle for this division in this period from February to March 1944. 2. The 168th Infantry Brigade rejoined this Division on 17 October 1943, following the battle for Salerno, having served in Sicily with the 50th Infantry Division. This Brigade was detached from the Division on 30 January 1944 and landed at Anzio on 3 February 1944 to come under command of the 1st Infantry Division. It reverted to the command of the 56th Infantry Division with the landing of the Divisional Headquarters on 16 February 1944. It left Anzio with the Division on 28 March 1944 to move back to Egypt to rest and refit.

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

th 56 (London) Infantry Division (1)

167th Infantry Brigade

8th (1st City of London) Bn. The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (2) 9th (2nd City of London) Bn. The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 7th Bn. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (3)

168th Infantry Brigade (4)

1st Bn. The London Irish Rifles (5) 1st Bn. The London Scottish (5) 10th Bn. The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) (6)

169th Infantry Brigade

2nd/5th Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd/6th (Bermondsey) Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd/7th (Southwark) Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

(7)

Divisional Troops

44th Reconnaissance Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps

6th Bn. The Cheshire Regiment

42nd Field Company, Royal Engineers 220th (2nd London) Field Company, Royal Engineers 221st (2nd London) Field Company, Royal Engineers 563rd Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

56th Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

NOTES:

1. The division returned to Italy on 17 July 1944 to become involved in the battles for the Gothic Line in August and September 1944. This is the abbreviated order of battle for this division for this period. 2. This battalion reduced to Cadre in September 1944, with surplus personnel being transferred to the 9th Bn. The Royal Fusiliers. The battalion was replaced in this Brigade on 23 September 1944 by: 1st Bn. The London Irish Rifles This battalion transferred in from 168th Brigade. The Cadre 8th Bn. R.F. was formally transferred to 168th Brigade on 28 November 1944. 3. This battalion reduced to Cadre in September 1944. It was replaced by: 1st Bn. The London Scottish This battalion transferred in from 168th Brigade on 23 September 1944. The Cadre 7th Oxs and Bucks was formally transferred to 168th Brigade on 28 November 1944. 4. On 24 September 1944, due to the casualties and lack of reinforcements in the area, this brigade ceased to be operational. The Brigade H.Q. commanded the unit cadres until it was disbanded on 1 January 1945. The cadres under command for varying periods of time between September 1944 and 31 December 1944 were: 1st Bn. The Welch Regiment 8th (1st City of London) Bn. The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 7th Bn. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1st Bn. The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) 9th Bn. The King’s Own Yorkshire Light infantry 14th Bn. The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) 42nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery 5. This battalion transferred to 167th Brigade on 23 September 1944. 6. This battalion left the brigade on 15 May 1944 (and disbanded?). It was replaced in brigade by: 1st Bn. The Welch Regiment This battalion arrived from Middle East Forces. This battalion in turn was reduced to cadre on 27 September 1944, before being reactivated on 19 October 1944 and eventually transferring to 1st (Guards) Brigade, 6th Armoured Division in March 1945. 7. Joined division as replacement brigade for 168th Brigade on 25th September 1944:

43rd Indian Infantry Brigade

2nd Bn. 6th Gurkha Rifles 2nd Bn. 8th Gurkha Rifles 2nd Bn. 10th Gurkha Rifles

This brigade in turn left the division on 7 October 1944 and was not replaced until 10 March 1945 when the 24th Infantry Brigade (Guards) joined the division. 8. The regiment left the division on 9 November 1944 passing to command of A.F.H.Q. It disbanded in January 1945.

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

th 56 (London) Infantry Division (1)

24th Infantry Brigade (Guards) (2)

2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards 1st Bn. Scots Guards 1st Bn. The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

167th Infantry Brigade

9th (2nd City of London) Bn. The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 1st Bn. The London Scottish 1st Bn. The London Irish Rifles

169th Infantry Brigade

2nd/5th Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd/6th (Bermondsey) Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd/7th (Southwark) Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

Divisional Troops

44th Reconnaissance Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps

6th Bn. The Cheshire Regiment

64th (7th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 65th (8th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 113th (Home Counties) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 67th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

42nd Field Company, Royal Engineers 220th (2nd London) Field Company, Royal Engineers 221st (2nd London) Field Company, Royal Engineers 563rd Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

56th Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

NOTES:

1. This is the abbreviated order of battle for the division in March 1945. The final offensive in Italy commenced on 13 April 1945, with the division involved in forcing the Argenta Gap. By 21 April 1945, the German forces were in retreat, with all German Forces in Italy surrendering on 2 May 1945. The division remained in Italy, until it was disbanded in 1947. It was reformed in the reconstituted Territorial Army of 1947 as an armoured division. 2. This brigade came under the command of this division on 10 March 1945, having been an independent brigade in Italy, although attached to the 6th South African Armoured Division for most of 1944. The brigade left the 6th South African Division on 19 February 1945 to pass to the command of the 8th Army. This was to allow the two Guards Brigades in Italy, the 24th and the 1st to reorganise due to the heavy casualties suffered and the lack of reinforcements. The 5th Bn. Grenadier Guards and the 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards were both reduced to cadres, with their other battalions in the 1st Infantry Brigade (Guards) absorbing the additional personnel. Both cadres returned to the United Kingdom. The 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards transferred in from the 1st Infantry Brigade (Guards) to this brigade on 10 March 1945 to replace the 3rd Battalion. The 5th Bn. Grenadier Guards was replaced on 10 March 1945 by the 1st Bn. The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), which had been reconstituted in early 1945. Once reorganised, the brigade joined the 56th Infantry Division.

28 November 2019 [56 (LONDON) INFANTRY DIVISION (1943-45)]

SOURCES:

Primary Sources

JOSLEN, Lieut-Col H. F. Orders of Battle Second World War 1939-1945 (London, H.M.S.O. 1960, Reprinted The London Stamp Exchange Ltd, 1990) [ISBN 0 948130 03 2]

Secondary Sources

BELLIS, Malcolm A. Divisions of the British Army 1939 – 1945 (U.K., BELLIS, 2000) [ISBN 0-9529693-1-9] BELLIS, Malcolm A. Brigades of the British Army 1939 – 45 (U.K., BELLIS, 1986) [ISBN 0 9512126 1 3] BELLIS, Malcolm A. Regiments of the British Army 1939 – 1945 (Artillery) (U.K., Military Press International, 1995) [ISBN 0 85420 110 6] BEVIS, Mark British and Commonwealth Armies 1939 – 43 (U.K., Helion & Co. 2001) [ISBN 1 874622 80 9] BEVIS, Mark British and Commonwealth Armies 1944 – 45 (U.K., Helion & Co. 2001) [ISBN 1 874622 90 6] BEVIS, Mark British and Commonwealth Armies 1939-45 Supplement Volume 1 (U.K., Helion & Co. 2005) [ISBN 1 874622 18 3] BEVIS, Mark British and Commonwealth Armies 1939-45 Supplement Volume 2 (U.K., Helion & Co. 2005) [ISBN 1 874622 38 8] FORTY, George British Army Handbook 1939 – 1945 (London, Chancellor Press, 2000) [ISBN 0-75370-332-7] WILLIAMS, David The Black Cats at War – The Story of the 56th (London) Division T.A. 1939 – 1945 (London, Imperial War Museum, 1995) [ISBN 1 870423 89 5]

Websites

The Royal Artillery 1939 – 45 Available on-line at: http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ [Accessed 20 March 2016] Regiments.org Available on-line at: http://web.archive.org/web/20070622075214/http://www.regiments.org/ [Accessed 20 March 2016]